Pirates look to build on playoff run

Putnam City senior Brayden Knox (PHOTO: Putnam City Athletics)

WARR ACRES – Putnam City’s playoff push a season ago marked a few milestones.

The Pirates finished 5-7 and made the playoffs for the second year in a row. PC won its first playoff game since 2007 by beating Tahlequah. Original also hosted a playoff game for the first time since 2017. Last season’s run ended in the quarterfinals to 2022 champion Stillwater who went on to the 2023 title game, before losing to Muskogee.

“We have to remain healthy and develop quality depth among the whole team,” Putnam City coach Willis Alexander said. “Offensively, we have a chance to be explosive, players have valuable playing experience.

Putnam City will have to replace quarterback Judson Keefer, who graduated and is playing at Southern Nazarene.

Junior Josh Lombard transferred from rival Putnam City North to run the Pirates spread offense. Lombard passed for 1,328 yards and 14 touchdowns last season for the Panthers.

One of Lombard’s biggest Targets will be junior Visiano Boyd who had 40 catches for 505 yards. Alexander called Boyd a “dynamic playmaker.”

Senior Dujuan Knight transferred from Putnam City West. Knight has 1,785 yards rushing in his career. Knight rushed for 644 yards and eight touchdowns for the Patriots last season.

Senior wide receiver DeMarion Ridley is a two-year starter.

On the offensive line, senior Jaidyn Summers (6-4, 350) will be “the anchor of the line,” Alexander said. Fellow senior William McCullough (6-1, 310) is a two-year starter.

“Defensively we have many players that have valuable playing and starting experience,” Alexander said.

Senior defensive end Brayden Knox has 16 Division-I offers. Knox led the team with 68 tackles and nine sacks last season. Fellow defensive end Tripp Alexander is a junior and is a three-year starter.

PC coach Willis Alexander called senior linebacker Johnn Sheffey “the heart and soul of the defense.” Sophomore defensive back Gabriel Osborne has multiple D-I offers and snagged two interceptions as a freshman. In the defensive backfield, senior Mykel Ford has started all four year and has D-I offers. Fellow senior Elijah Asberry is a two-year starter for the Pirates.

“Our success will rely on the development of our depth, and the off-field growth transferring to the field,” Alexander said.

NOTABLE PLAYERS

Visiano Boyd	WR	JR
William Mccullough	Ol	SR
Jaidyn Summers	OL	SR
Dujuan Knight	RB	SR
Demarion Ridley	WR	SR
Brayden Knox	DE	SR
Tripp Alexander	DE	JR
Johnn Sheffey	LB	SR
Elijah Asberry	DB	SR
Mykel Ford	DB	SR
Gabriel Osborne	DB	SO

PUTNAM CITY 2024 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

Aug. 30	Yukon
Sept. 6	at Putnam City West
Sept. 13	Putnam City North
Sept. 20	BYE
Sept. 26 (THU)	Northwest Classen (Homecoming)
Oct. 4	at Choctaw *
Oct. 11	Lawton Eisenhower * (Senior Night)
Oct. 18	at U.S. Grant *
Oct. 25	Stillwater *
Nov. 1	at Southmoore *
Nov. 8	at Piedmont *

* 6A-II District 1 game
All games on Friday unless noted/All games at 7 p.m. unless noted.
Home games in BOLD

PIRATES AT A GLANCE

Head Coach: Willis Alexander (2nd season at Putnam City, 5-7, 20th season overall, 120-93)
Assistant Head Coach, Defensive Coordinator: Larry Joubert
Offensive Coordinator: Jeff Horrocks
Defensive Line: Carlos Rhodes
Quarterbacks: Kyler Arter
Linebackers: Gray Gochenour
Kickers: William Graham
Safeties: Greg Johnson
Running Backs: Terrell Love
Wide Receivers: Patrick Mckaufman
Cornerbacks: Victor Perry
Offensive Line: Logan Roberson
Tight Ends: Jeremichael Deason
Offensive Line: Chavez Wilson
Defensive Line: Keontae Williams